Ride report by Doug H
On a very pleasant and summer like morning Doug, Mark and Chris met at Pretty Corner. Ian being elsewhere on a gravel ride round Thetford Forest, and with Andrew recovering from dental work and advice regarding anaesthesia, we admired Mark’s new wheels and started to contemplate the ride ahead. Then just as we were about to leave, Andrew appeared reporting as ‘fit to ride’ but just a little ‘groggy’ from the dentistry.
With four very keen wheelers basking in the warmth, we began the journey south via, Barningham, Little Barningham, on to Corpusty. At which point we meet Neil by the Dukes Head, and then on to meet Andy eight minutes further on at the outskirts of Corpusty. With a full house we set off to Thurning, through Hindolveston, Fulmodeston, Little Snoring, Great Snoring and onto Waterden where one of the many races to the top of the hill took place. From all accounts it was close with Neil being crowned the overall ‘king of the mountain’ for the day. I could only guess as I was very much last on each one, but maybe next time.
At this point the weather began to shift with the start of a very light drizzle. we arrived for lunch at Norton’s Cafe in Walsingham, which was surprisingly quite. However the food as always was well priced, well portioned and of excellent quality. Graham was there to meet us, and had already indulged in a cake. At this point Neil also joined the feasting with the biggest scone we had ever seen followed by a massive baked potato, and this turned out to be the only thing to beat him all day. Still it didn’t slow him down at all.
With lunch completed we set off up another hill to Thursford on to Gunthorpe and Sharrington. At Letheringsett we said farewell to Graham who took the direct route back to Cromer. Whereas the rest headed up and up to Glandford skirting round Wiveton and up and up to High Kelling. At this point the rain arrived with vengeance. Quite the hilly day and now with added wetness. Shortly after Mark, Andy and Chris headed back to Pretty Corner. With Andrew and Ian continuing a bit further and peeling off back towards Corpusty and Doug making a very bedraggled way back to Cromer. A very nice day with lots of hills and a little rain.
PC to PC was 56.2 miles at an average 14.2mph
Riders: Doug H, Chris S, Mark M, Andrew B, Neil Mc, Andy S, Graham A
In other news, Ian A successfully completed Saturday’s Glorious Gravel’s, Suffolk Gravel X event and sent this report:
Well my alarm went off at 05:15 and up I got!
Set off from High Lodge, Thetford around 0830.
53.6 miles tricky sandy sections and some VERY bumpy sections on hard packed field edges – think cobbles… Seriously. But only for 4-500 yards I guess. And I didn’t fall off. But a bloke near me did in the sandy/loose stuff. And a girl stopped in front of me so I had to put my foot down but I stayed upright… So the ‘gravel stuff ‘ was tough but there was more on roads than I’d expected but I’ve got mixed views on that as it was tough enough! Would I do that one again? I’ll think about that one. Nice scenery etc but you spend all your time looking at the ground avoiding rocks and roots etc!
Averaged 13.6mph.
Upcoming Rides –
Wednesday 26th March – Nelsons, Wells
Saturday 29th March – Star Inn, Lessingham
Routes for rides on the website under Dates and Destinations: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/
Visit the Clubs Runs Gallery for larger and more photos: https://nnwheelers.co.uk/club-runs/club-runs-photo-gallery/
North Norfolk Wheelers 